ECOtality’s wholly owned subsidiary, Electric Transportation Engineering Company (eTec), announced this morning that it has finalized the installation of five Dual Port SuperCharge systems at Long Beach Airport. The five systems were installed to recharge a number of electric baggage tractors and belt loaders that service JetBlue and US Airways. The installation is able to charge up to forty electric ground support vehicles and will assist Long Beach Airport in its transition from gasoline and diesel powered ground equipment to all electric. This transition will not only significantly reduce noise and air pollution, but also reduce the airport’s dependence on gasoline as well as cut fueling costs.
Don Karner, president and CEO of eTec, stated, “The Long Beach Airport SuperCharge installation is proof of how fast charging battery technologies enable airports and material handling operators to lessen their harmful effect on the environment.There is an increasing movement amongst airlines and airports to cut emissions and reduce fueling costs by switching from gasoline and diesel to pure electric systems. Long Beach Airport is really setting a trend in economic and environmental consciousness as this installation is one of many that will help us realize our goal of enabling an electro-centric world where we power all vehicles, from material handling equipment to automobiles, with clean electricity.”
ECOtality’s patented eTec SuperCharge system was specifically designed for airport ground support equipment, neighborhood electric vehicle operations, and marine and transit applications. Based on advanced algorithms that enable faster charging with less heat and longer battery life than that of other fast charge systems, airports and airlines can use eTec’s systems to convert their diesel and gasoline powered equipment to clean electric systems that produce zero emissions. In the press release the Company stated, “According to a February 2007 report published by ETEC and the U.S. Department of Energy, use of electric ground support equipment can reduce annual fueling costs by 70 to 80% and reduce total operating costs by 30 to 40% when compared to internal combustion engine ground support equipment that operates on gasoline or diesel fuel.”
“In line with Long Beach Airport’s Green Airport Program, powering our fleet of electric ground support equipment with the eTec SuperCharge system will reduce noise and air pollution, and help protect our residents, their neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all Long Beach citizens. From a safety, cost, environmental and efficiency standpoint, transitioning to a fleet of clean electric ground support equipment just makes sense,” commented Christine Andersen, Airport Director.
Let us hear your thoughts: Ecotality Message Board